The new Crusades are here

I always thought that the war on Iraq had a double purpose. The first and most obvious is, of course, who's going to control the oil. Most logical people would agree on that. The second is subtler. Unfortunately it is about religion. The war in Iraq is seen by many conservative Christians as a way to convert the Muslim "infidels" to the one and only religion: Christianity.

Not only that, but American soldiers who are not devout Christians are suffering, according to ABC news. Why am I not surprised? In Western World, Christianity and the military go hand in hand. Take Greece for example. First of all, national service is compulsory. All men have to do it. Although I strongly disagree with that, I can see the reasons. However, Christianity has penetrated every aspect of the military. What was the first thing they asked me when I joined? Have a guess: "What is your religion?" You do not have many options and God's forbid if you are not an Orthodox Christian. You are asking for trouble. So, I lied, since it does not mean anything for me and I only wanted to have a non-eventful service. Needless to say, that during the service, I was part of contingents carrying Christian icons, sat outside churches for hours, praying to a God I do not believe in.

I have seen it so many times. Therefore, I am not surprised that the atheist American soldiers have problems in the military and that the Pentagon is infiltrated by psychotic right wing Christians who believe that the armed forces mission is to convert everybody to their religion, even by force if it is necessary. After all, they have been doing that for the last two thousand years. The ancient Greeks were slaughtered because they preferred to believe in Zeus. The Conquistadors did that in the American continent. The Crusades are well known for "liberating" the Holy Land. Of course, the Muslims also want to convert us to their God and they would not hesitate to use any means possible.

When will we see the truth? When will we stop killing innocent people and discriminate against them, because of their religious beliefs? How many millions do they have to die in the name of a God? Is this what God wants? If He/She/It exists, I very much doubt. It is a disgrace to keep committing atrocities because of religious bigotry on the 2007th year of the Common Era. Let us all wake up and face the truth.